How I Work
Are you unable to think straight or feel as if you are losing your mind because your body hurts as you feel so much pain.
Do you want a better relationship with your body where you feel better equipped to manage the anger, the sadness and hurt, the anxiety or overwhelm.
Do you want to be able to tame those voices in your head that say you are a terrible person and doing it all wrong.
If you feel that no one in your life truly gets you, then you’ll fit right in here with me.
You may be reading this page because you have done everything you can to help yourself but you feel stuck, or it hasn’t helped enough, and it is time to ask for support. You may also be here because something distressing has happened and you want help to make sense of it or no longer be bothered by difficult memories. Or you might be here because you think you struggle with relationships, that people are confusing, and that no one understands you. I want you to know that if you are reading this, then you are welcome here as you are.
As a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist, I offer support by being guided by you. I believe you are the expert in your experience. I am the expert in facilitating a space for you to discover and understand yourself better so that you have skills to manage whatever life throws at you. My way of working is to stay with the difficult feelings and learning how to tolerate them together rather than looking for a cure or a quick fix. I believe that by working together you will be able to find the answers that are right for you. You may finish therapy with a realisation that you can cope better when facing personal challenges, or you are more able to say “No”. I work by responding to each of my client’s unique needs to enable you to move forward.
What happens in an introductory session?
As choosing a therapist is a personal choice, I offer a free 30 minute telephone or online introductory session. The session will give you the opportunity to meet me, to ask any questions about how I work, and to give me an overview on what you would like support with. This is not therapy and you have no obligation to book a session at the end of the call. In the introductory call I will explore how I work as a therapist, go through my working agreement, ask you questions about your previous experience of therapy, and ask what you are hoping for. If at the end of the session you decide to work with me, we will agree next steps. This includes exploring: if we are working in-person, online or by telephone; your preference for a set session day or time or to meet around your commitments; your thoughts about frequency of sessions, and how long you would like therapy for. I will outline my next steps which includes asking you to complete some forms and I will do a counselling assessment.
What happens in my first counselling & psychotherapy session?
In this session, we will go through the paperwork and we will have the opportunity to ask each other any outstanding questions. I may ask further questions as part of the counselling assessment. I will not come to the session with an agenda as I will be guided by you. This might mean you provide me some context on what you are seeking support with; or you might want to explore something that happened since we last spoke; or you might want to share what you are finding difficult and need support with. Some people like to reflect and to prepare for their session so that our time together can be spent on something specific. You are welcome to bring a list. Some people like to use the session to be with whatever is happening today and to explore their thoughts or feelings. Sometimes people have no idea what to say or where to start. That’s OK, I am happy to ask some questions to help us start talking. At the end of each session, we will agree our next appointment. My commitment to you is to reserve a slot the same time and day each week until we agree to end sessions. We will review how well we are working together and if it is meeting your needs every 6 to 8 sessions.
Click the links below to find more about working face to face, online or by telephone.
In person sessions are held at Regus Tower Court in Clifton Moor, York
Online and telephone sessions are available to UK residents only and require access to your own equipment and a confidential space to talk.
My fee is £64 for a 60 minute session.
I provide a 10% discount if you book 4 or more sessions in advance.